It’s Been a Long Time (about 12 years!)

It’s been a long time since I’ve made soap from scratch. Like over a decade. I loved making it with my good friends. Jennifer was and is my soap making inspiration. In fact, she shared the recipe for my first solo efforts this past spring. When I asked where she found it, she said “on the internet!”. A little digging and I found that this near Castille soap recipe resides at the Spruce Crafts site as “Recipe 4”. I am not certain this is the same place Jenny found it, but I suspect it might be!

Despite the many texts (questions and updates on my part, advice and assurance on her part) supporting the soap making back in early March (3/7/2021), it was my son Orion who helped me find my soap-making self again! I received several bars of homemade soaps as Christmas presents this past year (Christmas 2020). My friend Diane sent be a half-a-dozen bars of different scented soap bars – one even felted! Who knew?! My other friend Jenny sent me several samples from her first efforts at soap making. And my middle daughter gave me a big, fat bar from a relatively local soapery Buff City. But it was my son, shortly after his humorous comment about my friends’ and family’s not-so-subtle suggestion that I stink, who asked, “why don’t you make soap anymore, Mom?”  

I had to think about it. What has been going on in the past 10-12 years that has prevented me from indulging myself in soap making and general craftiness. We can sum it up to getting married to a man with three daughters and going from one child to four, moving across the country, starting over on the promotion and tenure clock, and just trying to keep up with it all! Good news, Cliff and I are quickly approaching our 10th anniversary (December 2021). This spring marks the end of my 10th year at MTSU. And I have renewed my crafty self by reviving a few old crafts (crochet and soaping) and learning a few new ones (paper crafts and glass etching). 

The Recipe: 

• 40 oz. olive oil 
• 10 oz. coconut oil 
• 16 oz. water 
• 6.9 oz. lye
• Between 1.5 and 2.2 oz. of fragrance or essential oil, according to your preference 

Please note, this is not a post on how to make soap or soap making safety. Please review books and other media sources for such. This is a way for me to document what worked, what didn’t, how it turned out, and what I’d like to change.

The first batch included the nubby soap mold. We’ve not used those bars yet, however, I would definitely tap them a bit harder to get the air out and let them cure more than 2 days before unmolding them next time. Some of the nubs came off due to air pockets. Castille soap is generally very soft and this was no different. Scent wise, the first batch contains 1.5 oz of lemon (doTERRA), .5 oz of lemon grass (doTERRA), and 1 oz of tea tree oil (Spring Valley). It is important to note that we were using then Jenny didn’t share any scenting suggestions and scent calculators used suggested the amount for a ‘strong scent’. WELL, IT IS SUPER STRONG! Orion says it’s soap for PEOPLE WHO SMELL! Honestly, it’s not that bad. But it is strong and invigorating. I think it will make a nice kitchen bar and that was the intent. 

Scent wise the second batch was divided into two smaller batches. The first half of the batch contained 1 oz of orange essential oil (doTERRA) and .5 oz cedarwood essential oil (doTERRA). The second half of the batch contained 1.25 oz of Tranquility (GuruNanda) an essential oil blend of spearmint, cedarwood, and patchouli. Again, like the first batch we were using what we had floating around the house with respect to scents and oils. It is important to note that the Tranquility came out pretty strong and heady. However, with my post-Covid (I had C-19 in November for my birthday!) nose I can barely smell any scents of Orange or Cedarwood from the first half of this batch. 

All the soaps are super silky and have a lovely lather. Orion is all set to try another batch or three. Before we do, we wanted to let these cure (which they have!) and try to find some affordable scent sources. Using doTERRA to scent 5 lbs of soap is stupidly expensive! I just received my order from Brambleberry and we will see what sort of trouble we can get into with their scents!

Melanie's Cake

Melanie- a name that means dark or black and beautiful.  It is also the name of a longtime best friend! About 30 years ago, Melanie made Watergate Cake for me (YUM!) and later shared her Grandma Ritz's (diminutive of her real name, Ritzenthaler) recipe for said cake.  Woot!  I recently unearthed the recipe and made the cake for Christmas for Cliff's family who loves Watergate Salad*.  Well, they love Grandma Ritz's Watergate Cake too!  Shortly before Christmas, Cliff's sister, Sheila brought a triple chocolate cake from Sam's Club (of all places) to the house for dessert.  It was amazingly rich, moist, and devilishly chocolate.  I immediately fell in love with the cake and therefore have had to ban myself from darkening the doors of the local Sam's Club to protect my virtue! 
That said, when I was making Watergate Cake I couldn't help but think that the texture was similar to the triple chocolate cake Sheila brought to the house.  Could I replicate it? I began to wonder.  So in my mind, I recreated the Watergate Cake with a chocolate theme.  I couldn't wait to try it out to see if my hypothesis was tenable.  Today we had soup and sandwiches at church after services.  I knew exactly what I was going to bring.  But I couldn't call it Death by Chocolate- its' been done.  I couldn't call it Triple Chocolate Cake- I wanted mine to be better.  So I thought of the inspiration for the recipe.  I thought about what Melanie's name means... and well, this morning  I brought my first attempt at Melanie's Cake to church.  It was a hit.  I didn't have anything but crumbs to bring home!  Want to try it for yourself?  See the recipe below!  Enjoy! 

What you need:
1 box of chocolate cake mix
2 (3.5 oz) boxes of instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
8 oz of Dr. Pepper (Say no to diet soda when baking!)
3/4 cup of oil
2 cups of dark chocolate baking chips (1 cup for cake mix and 1 cup to sprinkle!)
1 container of dark chocolate frosting

What you do:
1. Heat the oven to 350 degree.  Grease and flour your favorite cake pan (I used a Bundt pan.). 
2. Combine all ingredients except the baking chips in a bowl and mix thoroughly.  Do not over beat.  Add 1 cup of baking chips and incorporate.  Pour into pan and place in the oven. The cake mix will be thick.
3. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes depending on your oven and the pan you chose.  I baked mine for 37.5 minutes.
4.  Let cool for a few minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.
5.  Frost cake with chocolate frosting.  Sprinkle with baking chips.  Slice and EAT!  

Notes:  I will make this again.  And I will likely use mini chips instead of the regular chocolate chips.  Additionally, the choice of Dr. Pepper over Pepsi was made because I wanted to drink the remaining 4 ounces and didn't want Pepsi.  I think any dark, non diet soda would work.  I will likely try this again with Pepsi and again with a Root Beer.  Try it with one and let me know what you think in the comments. *I must also note that the BEST Watergate Salad has a can of Mandarin oranges in it!  I like them better than the marshmallows, but still put those in for the kids. This was supposted to post on 1/25/2015! Imgaine my suprise to find it sitting in my drafts on May 8, 2021!

Repurposed Old Doors

 I begin this post with a heart felt thanks to my husband.  Thanks, Darling!

This is the post where I admit my Pinterest addiction.  I can thanks several students (college) my first semester in Tennessee for introducing me to this epic (and wonderful) time suck.  I have said, more than once, that if Pinterest had been invented before I finished my dissertation, I would not be Dr. Kat.  That said, I have adored collecting pins (it's much easier than collecting crap!) of things I love; pinning ideas for craft projects; and dreaming about the many renovations going on at my house.


Last summer, for instance, we had the (hideous) paneling removed from the (not so) Great Room and replaced it with drywall and some gorgeous turquoise paint.  During that time we had new doors and windows installed.  Imagine my husband's surprise when I refused to let the doors or windows go.  And imagine his amazement about 10 months later when I showed him a few of my pins of "old door arbors".  In fact, this pin was one of my first ever pins! 


A few weeks before Mother's Day my husband dragged the doors up from the basement and began sanding and repairing them.  He caulked seams to prevent water damage and proceeded to paint those puppies THREE times with our favorite outdoor paint, Valspar Duramax (We have used this amazing paint on the porch, the bathroom cabinets, and the trim and bead board throughout the house!).  He had to fight the carpenter bees for the 2x6s, but in the end he won!

Like most of our home projects, they take roughly four times longer than we anticipate.  So shortly before Father's Day found us in the yard assembling this arbor down by the sidewalk.  Again, the husband thought of everything.  Instead of just propping the arbor up in the lawn surrounding the walkway, he created a foundation to protect the arbor from sitting on or in the wet earth.  This man thinks of everything.

After some time leveling, multiple brackets, and tons of screws, he caulked every hole and sealed every crack before repainting the arbor for a FOURTH time.  I am thinking this puppy is going to be able to withstand all sorts of weather.

After much discussion we decided upon Monrovia Climbing Roses in white and yellow.  They've been planted and their training has begun.  I cannot wait for them to begin climbing and blooming.  And I cannot wait to see what project we tackle next. 


Don't forget, I have those windows to do something with! 

China Cabinet

Nearly five years ago I purchased a nifty mid century modern china hutch for $25.00.  I loved this cabinet and have regretted leaving it behind when I moved to Middle Tennessee.  Since my move to Tennessee I have continued collecting china and crystal as the thrift stores in this area usually have a remarkable selection!  The need to replace the china cabinet I left behind has reached critical mass.  For a few months I have been cruising the Craig's List adds in Nashville in hopes of finding a cabinet.  Last month I found just the one! 

It is currently just housing various glassware and dishes.  I need another cabinet before I can begin sorting, organizing, and presenting my grandma's Candlewick, Osage Clayworks pottery, my silver rimmed barware, my mom's (now mine) Midnight Rose Bavarian China and much, much more! 

< = >

I love TED Talks.  I have for years.  TED is one of those things that I come back to year after year... watching a handful of talks for a week or so only to forget about it for a year or so.  However, this past academic year has been different.  I recently discovered collections of TED Talks on my Netflix! (Go Netflix, go!) After watching a few (these 5 to 20 minute talks are just about perfect for my attention span these days!) I decided I was going to try to watch 4 to 5 talks a week and keep a notebook detailing a nugget of knowledge important to my life!  I have to admit I am not doing such a fabulous job on that!  But I am still watching! 

This afternoon at lunch I wanted to email my department chair the link to a particularly brilliant presentation about how our body language not only shapes how others perceive us it shapes the way we PERCEIVE ourselves! Click here to view Amy Cuddy's TED Talk. While I was tracking down the URL, I found a talk on happiness. 

I would like you to take about six minutes to meet Graham Hill of Tree Hugger and Life Edited.  He eloquently describes having a smaller footprint and fewer things to clutter our lives can lead to greater happiness. 

Less is more!  (< = >) 

https://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness/transcript?language=en  

Are you ready for the irony?  I have just reserved a U-Haul to carry some precious furniture (things my brother has made or stuff that has been the family for years) from Fayetteville, AR to Middle Tennessee!

Saturday's Text

Saturday I received a text from my Little Bear.  It simply said, "EVERY DAMN AWARD FOR 5A!"  I was and am ecstatic!

On Saturday, October 12, 2013 Orion and the Conway High School Marching Band competed at the Showcase of the Bands at War Memorial Stadium!  While there they won, as Orion so eloquently shared via text, "every damn award!". 

Congratulations to my son, Orion and to his band peeps at Conway High.  I know you put in a tremendous number of hours practicing!  We are all very proud of you! 

To read more about their victory, visit the Log Cabin for the news article!  

Fifteen Months

Fifteen months.  It has been 15 long months since I have blogged (save for the recent fix of the failed January attempt!).  Fifteen months is too long.  A great deal can happen in 15 months.  A person's life can change dramatically.  For instance:  taking a new job in Tennessee, packing and moving 575 miles in ten days, family illnesses, family celebrations, holidays, gaining three stepdaughters and two new nieces, teaching 13 classes and learning eight new preps, and a trip to Florida via Atlanta, Georgia. This brings me to the new year- the new school year that is. 

What does this year hold?  If the past year is indication the future is unclear!  I must remember to sit back, hold on, and enjoy the ride.  And I must make a commitment to read more and to write more. 

Poached Salmon with Pinot Noir

This photo was taken with the (horrible) camera on my cell phone (I really need an iPhone or Smart Phone .) from a distant installment of Wine Spectator.

_________

I began this post back in January after I had visited a friend at the local hospital and was left with only Wine Spectator to read.  Shortly after I typed the first sentence my computer made a large popping noise and died.  About a week later it was fixed, but within days I noted there seemed to be a cognitive processing disorder with my computer.  It was the video card.  Suffice it to say, my computer was out of commission for a while.  I have since forgotten the the recipe I committed to memory and text to my brother and have upgraded to an Android.  While I am still not thrilled with the camera of my phone (or my ability to use the camera well), I love having access to Pinterest whenever I want!  It's about the important things, really! 

Since you were expecting a recipe for Poached Salmon you might wish to take a look at the one available at What's Cooking America or Food.com.

1,000 Words

The Best Photo Ever

May 14, 2011

Pad Thai

I just made the best Pad Thai. I first had Thai Kitchen Pad Thai (the bottled seasoning sauce) when I visited my sister and brother-in-law in Toronto. PD made a heap of tasty Pad Thai. Over the past few years I have purchased the Box-O-Pad-Thai and cooked up a make shift Pad Thai in my kitchen. It's been edible; sometimes better than others; but never great. Until tonight!

Tonight the stars aligned and I had lots of goodies in my fridge and freezer to toss in to the pan. Tonight dinner was great.

What you need:
Box of Thai Kitchen Original Pad Thai
4-5 Shrimp
1 Large Chicken Breast
2 Eggs
4 Green Onions
Cilantro
Red Pepper (or fresh chili peppers)
Chinese Five Spice
Lime Wedges
Salt & Pepper

What you do:

1. Begin by following the instructions on the box. While you're boiling water to soak the noodles in, chop up the chicken, shell the shrimp, rinse the sprouts, chop the onion, and so on. Once the water boils, turn the heat off and dump in the noodles. Let them soak for about 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Spray a large skillet or wok with some Pam or use a bit of oil! Scramble the two eggs (yes two!)... but don't over cook. Set them aside. Toss in the chicken and sprinkle with a bit of salt, pepper, Chinese Five Spice, and saute. When the chicken is nearly done, add the shrimp.

3. Rinse the noodles in cool water and drain. Toss the noodles into the pan and add the Thai spice sauce packet, the bean sprouts, and a handful of the green onion. Stir and heat through till all liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with a lil' red pepper to taste...

4. This augmented recipe will make enough for 3 to 4 hungry folks. Dish up the goods, sprinkle a few more fresh bean sprouts to the mound of noodly goodness, add a healthy dose of Cilantro and a wedge or two of lime.

Finally, Pad Thai that tastes like Pad Thai! Yum!

Stash Lemon Ginger Tea

I came across this awesome tea last winter one day when I had that telltale scratch at the back of my throat. The lemon and ginger lend themselves to being sweetened honey rather than sugar or an alternative. The combination is soothing, yet the ginger gives it a lovely little kick. Looking for a tasty and affordable tea? Trying to get over the crud? Give Stash's Lemon Ginger a try. YUM!

Coffee Press

My brother makes a mean cuppa via a French Press... He rather got me hooked last summer when I stayed with him and Robin whilest finishing up the dissertation... I was tickled when he gave me his lil' Lexan French Press (You can buy your own for about $20 at Safety Central.) The Lexan coffee press is virtually indestructable and great for making a cup o' joe whilest traveling or camping. Yum! My lil' pot is 10 oz. But they come in 33 oz and 50 oz (50 oz of coffee?! I could do it! But my heart would stop!) for the serious drinker... coffee drinker that is!



Well, I was shopping the other day at the local Salvation Army Thrift Store (my favorite retail venue in the 'Burg... okay, second favorite... Highway 13 Antiques being my first!) when I found a Pyrex (!) French Press for TWO DOLLARS! Yes, $2.00. Woot! A little coffee pot cleaner and a lot of water and the press cleaned up and shined up nicely! I cannot wait for company! I am ready to press up a nifty lil' pot o' coffee!



Well now, you can go and buy your own used Pyrex Coffe Press at Ebay for about $15.00 plus shipping... Making my $2.00 pot that much more of a SCORE! And with a nod to my lil' sis... Press pots are great for loose tea! Much better than tea balls as they allow the tea to fully expand... Love it; love it; love it!

Leftovers

What to do with the leftover pork roast and the package of udon my mum send me home with? Pork Udon. I was tickled that I had everything in the pantry! Including the dashi! The recipe came from the folks at Udon Recipes. Check them out and try some for yourself.

Pork Roast

I made Pork Roast for Orion and Shannon this weekend.

Pork Roast

What you Need:

4 pound pork roast
1 cup flour
Montreal Chicken Seasoning, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Garlic (because it is all I had on hand)
4 T vegetable oil
Pam

What you Do:

Heat oven to 325. Roll the roast in the flour and seasoning. Heat oil in large skillet. Drop roast in pan and sear all sides. Spray baking dish with Pam. Toss roast in pan and place in oven. Cook for 90 minutes and check internal temperature. Pull out when it hits 150 to 155 degrees. Tent with foil and let rest. Temperature will continue to rise to about 160. Yummy and moist. I impressed myself. I hope I impressed Orion and Shannon. I still need to cook up some pork for Grandpa Doug.

My Sister Looks Like Emily Blunt!

Cruising through Netflix looking for a good movie to watch I noted The Young Victoria. Here was this gorgeous gal-- looking just like my sister! Who is she? I thought. I quickly discovered that it was a gal by the name of Emily Blunt and when I saw pics of her sans her Victorian garb I was even more stunned by how much she looked like Tree. Over the years I have thought my sister looked like Natalie Merchant and
an young Isabella Rossellini.
What do you think?

Today's Mail

Look what came in today's mail! Woot!

Organization Personality

Ever wonder what type of organization personality you have? Yeah, me neither. But while surfing Better Homes and Gardens for kitchen decorating ideas I found a quiz. If you're interested in finding out what organization personality you have you too can take the quiz. It seems I have the "schoolteacher's organization personality" so I had to share! Take the quiz and leave a comment letting me know what style you are. I am curious.

Pepe Uriburu

Orion and I have a new family member. Her name is Pepe Uriburu, the well-traveled cat. Pepe has been living with us since the middle of August and she is adjusting quite nicely. We are fostering her with hopes of permanently adopting her. Pepe is a small kitty and probably doesn't weight much more than six or seven pounds (A wee lass compared to Spot's hulking 15 or 16 pounds!). She is fluent in Korean, English, and Spanish. She was born in Korea, but has lived in Toronto, Ontario Canada, Washington D.C., and recently she hails from Mexico City. I can only hope to be as well traveled as my foster kitty! Pepe is great fun. She doesn't seem to mind Nola the dog (not that she goes out of her way to visit with Nola), but she doesn't care for Spot at all. But who can blame her; Spotty is more of a horses butt than a kitty. Pepe spent the first few weeks living in my closet and only came out for the necessities. After several weeks I decided it was time to 'help' this special kitty to adjust so when she left the closet to take care of some business I closed it back up tightly. She was amazingly upset with me for several days. But very quickly adopted the bed as her chosen place to nap. She splits her nap times between the foot of the bed (my side) and the head of the bed (opposite side). Every day that passes she becomes more and more affectionate and playful. She greets me when I return home. Last night I tossed and turned all night long... But somehow couldn't seem to buck Pepe off my feet (not that I was trying!). She is quite the agile kitty and very loving when the mood suits her.

Don't Go Like That!

Once should possibly never visit a chiropractor before bowling. While she straighted ME out; she did NOT straighten my ball out. I was all over the place. Partly because of my recent adjustment, I think, and partly because I saw three people (3!) fall on the approaches last night and did NOT want to be the fourth! So I was cautious with my approaches. Tentative with my ball. And it showed. I did make a spare and a strike in the first game, two strikes in the second, and a spare in the third. I never broke 100.

09/09/10 Skipped
09/16/10 90, 97, 90

I think I need a tutor.

A New Season!

Bowling! A new season started last week. And I am back at it... Beginning my fifth year. I missed the first week of bowling due to extreme stress and strain on my backside, but I made it to the alley last night! First time I'd picked up a bowling ball in 4 months. They seem much heavier than I remember. All things considered, I did fairly well.

08/26/10 Absent
09/02/10 87, 122, 136

Yeah, you could say I was warming up in that first game. And I was. I believe I threw three gutters all night, one for each game, if I recall correctly. The second game started off beautifully with a spare in each of the first five frames. I even picked up two splits. Total of six spares. The third game I had two spares (picking up a split) and a double (two strikes). Looking forward to next week!